2026/27 UEFA Champions League Draw Pots Explained

The league phase of the 2026/27 UEFA Champions League will feature 36 teams split into four pots, each containing nine clubs. UEFA will confirm the final pot line-up before the draw scheduled for August 27.

Current Pot Composition and Qualification Status

So far, 29 teams have secured spots in the league phase, with seven remaining places to be decided through play-offs on August 25 and 26. The teams are organized into pots based on club coefficient rankings at the season's start, except for the reigning Champions League winner who automatically leads Pot 1.

• Pot 1: Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Liverpool, Manchester City, Inter Milan, Arsenal, Barcelona, Atlético Madrid
• Pot 2: Borussia Dortmund, Roma, Sporting CP, Aston Villa, Porto, Manchester United, Club Brugge, Real Betis, PSV Eindhoven
• Pot 3: Feyenoord, Lille, Napoli, RB Leipzig, Villarreal, Shakhtar Donetsk, Galatasaray
• Pot 4: Slavia Prague, Stuttgart, Como, Lens

How the Draw Functions

Being in Pot 1 doesn't guarantee avoiding other top clubs. Each team plays eight opponents during the league phase: two from each pot, including their own. They face one match at home and one away against each pot's representatives.

For example, a team in Pot 1 will compete against two clubs from Pot 1, two from Pot 2, two from Pot 3, and two from Pot 4. Teams from the same country usually cannot be drawn against each other, and a club can meet up to two clubs from any single other association.

Important Dates and Additional Details

• Draw Date: August 27, 18:00 CET in Monaco
• Play-offs: Second legs on August 25 and 26 to finalize the 36-team field
• League Phase Duration: Starts September 8, ends January 27, 2027
• Match Format: Each club plays four home and four away games

Until UEFA officially releases seedings on August 27, any lists showing the pots should be treated as tentative rather than final.